ANNIVERSARY SERVICES. Auckland, July 8.

Te Aroha News, Volume VII, Issue 383, 10 July 1889, Page 5

ANNIVERSARY SERVICES. Auckland, July 8.

Yesterday the Orangemen of Auckland celebrated the 199bh anniversary of the I Battle of the Boyne by a church service in the Choral Hall, where the Rev. Dr. Maunsell and Rev. A. J. Smith officiated. The members of the order assembled at the Protestant Hall, Newton, in regalia, and headed by bhe Newmarket brass band, proceeded along Karangahape Road, and down Symonds-street to tho place of meeting, the Grand Master being in Iront, with Bro. A. 0. Rigg bearing the Bible on a blue cushion. On the march bhe band played suitable selections, and the spectators along the line of march were numerous. Before arriving afc the hall the pfceps were crowded with those wishing to gain admis&ion, and in less than ten minutes from the opening of the doors the hall was crowded. Rev. Dr. Maunsell, who has been prevented from attending these meetings for some considerable time, was to Iho front yesterday, and assisted the Rev.' A J. Smith, Deputy Grand Chaplain to the Orange Triennial Council, in the religious exercises. The meeting was opened with the hymn "Stand up, Stand up fot Jesus," after which Bro. Smith read the les&on from Psalms 46 and 144, after which he took as his text the Epi&tle of Jude, verse 3, " Contend earnestly for the faith once delivered to the saints." The preacher said that no apology was needed for holding such a service. The Scriptures were full of such anniversary celebrations — the passo\ 7 er, the defeat of the Amalekites, the possession of the Promised Land by Joshua, and the deliverance of the Jews under Ahazuerus, when they were to observe the Feast of Purim. Christmas Day, Good Friday and Easter Sunday had their significance with us. Days were set apart in our calendar to be observed, in honour of those who have played an important part in the political, social and commercial world, and yet many objected to their celebrating the Battle of the Boyne, and Orangemen were held up to scorn and contempt because they celebrated that event — an event which perpetuated the memory of one of the greatest kings who sat on the English throne. Their reason for celebrating such an event was not to agitate the minds of their fellow colonists. It was for a higher purpose, namely to express gratitude to God for a great national deliverance, and to impress on the t rising generation the necessity that existed for preserving untarnished the liberties so dearly purchased by their forefathers, and to contend earnestly for the faith once delivered to the saints. The preacher then asked which was the true faith. There were Mahommedanism. Brahminism, Buddhism, Romany ism, Protestantism, and he wished to know which wa& right. After comparing these several ienis he came to the conclusion that the principles of Protestantism — Orangeism tended to propagate the faith referred to in the text— which were that of Christianity, and if Orangemen were true to their principles they would exercise greater influence, and command more respect than they at present did. The preacher then referred to scepticism and infidelity, tie showed that they were on the inciease, and he believed that when the enemy came in like a flood, the Loid would lift up a standard against them. As to the only true church, he referred at length to those that say they are the true church because of their antiquity. He combatted that argument logically, showing that if any church was the true one on account of its antiquity it was the Syrian — not the Roman. He referred to Home Rule for Ireland. He said they looked upon it as an attempt to rob Protestants of their faith, and substituting for it that of Rome. He quoted several extracts to show that ib was separation — not Home Rule— that was required. Then Romish ascendancy would take the place of Protestant ascendancy, and Protestatism in Ireland would be nowhere. It was from Protestants that the Roman Catholics derived their civil and religious freedom, and they should prize it as dearly as Protestants do, for ib cost our forefathers their lives. He concluded by urging the (Orangemen to live godly lives, and asked all bhe Protestant Churches to combine, organically if possible, and if not co-operate to "contend earnestly for the faith once delivered to the saints." Archdeacon Maunsell then closed the proceedings with prayer, after which the procession reformed and marched up Symondsstreet and Wellesley-street to Hobsonsbreet, and on to the Protestant Hall, Karangahape Road, where they separated. The usual 12th of July soiree and concert will take place on Friday next, at 6.30, in the Foresters' Hall, Newton,